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From the archives: The restoration of Arthur
Erickson’s Glass House • Market Snapshot: The
ups and downs of reno-worthy homes
• Finds for the kitchen • Spring’s best reds pose
the question: To drink or to cellar?
3 6 | P O R TFO LI O

The mayhem of contemporary culture gets
lush expression in the paintings of Montreal
artist Benjamin Klein.
By John Bentley Mays

Rethink, Redraw, Resolve
Part 2: The Design. IA&D reports on two New
Brunswick homeowners and their architects as
they create a design that works for their rugged
Saint John property.
By Suzanne Robicheau

36
28

46 | ARCHITECTURE

Light at Heart
An outdated Vancouver post-and-beam gets a
contemporary revival with a modern combo of
wood, metal and glass.
By Lisa Fitterman

Of Earth and Sky
Perched halfway up a desert cliff in Palm
Springs, Calif., a freewheeling ’60s house
merges indoors and out underneath a great
domed roof that affords glimpses of the stars.
By Carolyn Kennedy
66 | DESIGN

Bungalow Reinvented
To remake a ’50s Ontario bungalow for
the modern world, its owners separated
public and private living areas and instilled
a standout style vibe.
By Kateri Lanthier
78 | A R C H I T E C T U R E

28
28

Clear Thinking
A 300-year-old English manor house offers an
unexpected lesson in the art of renewal with a
high-tech, glass-roofed extension.
By Carolyn Kennedy
10 9 | I N D E X

Where to ﬁnd the architects, designers,
products and manufacturers in this issue

that stand out against the new geometrically
perfect millwork,” he wrote in an email.
When architects and designers can’t push
outward to create a new or better space, they
often look upward. Taal Safdie and Ricardo
Rabines did that when they planned the renovation of a typically narrow, dark New York
City brownstone. In an 18-foot-wide house that
sits cheek-by-jowl with its neighbours, the two
architects doubled the volume of the kitchen
by removing the ﬂoor above it—losing some
living space upstairs but compensating for it by
creating a lovely, airy downstairs that is ﬂooded
with light from second-storey windows. The
house was successfully reworked for modern
living, but in a nod to the home’s history, two
beautiful old ﬂoor beams, salvaged from the
second level, were recycled in a new role: Now
they provide a support for a sleek pendant-light
collection and add their distinctive sculptural
presence to the kitchen.

The former courtyard, now
the kitchen addition, created
by British ﬁrm Spratley
Studios for a 1700s English
manor house

British architect Jeremy Spratley needed ingenuity to work around some pretty tough heritage
rules when he designed the addition to a 1700s
manor house near Oxford, England. Unable to
build anywhere else, he placed a very large, very
modern kitchen/dining/gathering space in what
had been the open courtyard. But he couldn’t
resist retaining one of the ancient brick exterior walls, now a feature of the home’s interior
and a reminder, he remarked, of the passage of
time. Irregular, scarred and showing evidence of
numerous repairs and replacements undertaken
over its 300-year history, the wall is nonetheless
a thing of beauty, and a testament to the value of
looking back, as well as forward.
Choosing to restore is like that: In the very act
of renewal, you come to see clearly what is worth
saving about everything that came before.
Carolyn Kennedy
Editor

The kitchen of a New
York City brownstone
renovated by Safdie
Rabines Architects

LEFT T0 RIGHT: MARTIN TESSLER; NICK KANE; DUB ROGERS

I

t is illuminating to see the design choices
owners make when they decide to restore or
renovate their homes, but it’s also intriguing when they choose not to swap out old for
new. Stephen Fitterman—the Vancouver homeowner whose warm contemporary kitchen is on
the cover of our spring issue of International
Architecture & Design—was looking for a piece
of land on which to build, not an old home in
need of revival. Yet, after he stumbled upon such
a house, he worked carefully with his architect
to retain the spirit of the 1950s post-and-beam
during what he described as a massive renovation. Stephen was meticulous in his specifications, opting for custom closets, cabinetry,
shelving and a built-in credenza. He installed
electrical outlets on the horizontal and his front
door’s mail slot on the vertical to make them less
obtrusive. He thought of everything. However,
he chose not to ﬁx everything that was wrong
with this old house. “I love the warped ﬁr beams

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

From the Editor correction pg12.indd 12

24/02/11 10:29 AM

You know those moguls who’ve
made and lost a fortune?
Don’t be one of them.
For management of portfolios of three million or more
call Jim Bantis or Patrick Keeley at 1.866.681.6001.

International Architecture & Design Magazine is published by GLP,
33 Euclid Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6J 2J7
Telephone 416-504-5282 Fax 416-361-9244
International Architecture & Design and International Architecture
& Design Magazine are trademarks of GLP. All rights reserved.
International Architecture & Design Magazine is published four times a year and
is distributed via name and address and through select retail partners. No part of
International Architecture & Design Magazine may be reproduced in any form or
by any means without prior written consent from GLP.
For additional information, e-mail mail@iadmagazine.com, call 416-504-5282,
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Printed in Canada.
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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:
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14

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0

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RESTORATION
DRAMA
In 1961, Arthur Erickson’s Glass House
in Comox, B.C., was called the most
fabulous house in Canada. But the 1990s
saw it damaged by a renovation. Now, at
just past 50, restored and updated to the
architect’s satisfaction, the house is
enjoying another day in the sun.
By Jennifer Van Evra
Photography by Simon Scott

Above: The Glass House was completed in
1959. Twenty years later American architect
Philip Johnson, quoted in a proﬁle in The
New Yorker, declared Arthur Erickson “by
far the greatest architect in Canada, and
maybe the greatest on this continent.”

16

he ﬁrst time Doug Field saw the house he
thought aliens had arrived.
It was around 1961, and Field, then 12 years old,
and his cousin Smokey were wandering along the
beach just outside the ﬁshing village of Comox on
Vancouver Island, at the time a distant outpost.
The two youngsters noticed a trail leading up a
steep embankment and followed it.
“We were walking up through this brushy
trail—then, lo and behold, there was this big glass
towering building right above us,” recounts Field.
“There was so much glass and it was such a bizarre
structure that we thought a spaceship had landed.”
In fact, no UFO had descended—but the
house was helping to launch the meteoric

T

career of architect Arthur Erickson, who would
go on to design Simon Fraser University, the
University of British Columbia’s Museum of
Anthropology, the Canadian Embassy in
Washington, D.C., Roy Thomson Hall in
Toronto, and dozens more high-proﬁle homes
and institutions around the globe.
Superstardom in the design world had not yet
arrived for Erickson as he built that clifftop home
in Comox, which locals simply call the “Glass
House.” Perched high on a bluff with ocean and
mountain views so spectacular that Erickson
called the site the most beautiful he had seen, the
home featured ﬂoor-to-ceiling glass walls that
would treat its residents to sunrises over the

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

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23/02/11 10:40 AM

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Left: Doug Field’s
careful stewardship of
the house included the
installation of thermal
low-E windows.
Below left: The ﬁreplace
has been converted
from wood-burning to
gas; the striking brass
hood is a replica.
Below right: Field
acquired the brass
drum table, another
original furnishing, just
last year.

Georgia Strait to the east and, to the west, glowing
sunsets behind the Comox Glacier and
surrounding mountains. Delicate cedar screens
provided shade from the midday sun.
Skylights ran the full length of the house, from
east to west and from north to south. Marble
terrazzo ﬂoors gleamed. A brass ﬁreplace in the
middle of the living room created a powerful focal
point, while rock walls to the north and south took
their cues from the rugged landscape. Columns
were wrapped with yellow cedar tubes that were
lit inside to cast a glow both upward and down.
In 1961, Canadian Homes magazine put the
Glass House on its cover and declared it “the
most fabulous house in Canada.”
“It is a superb piece of art high on this cliff,”
says Simon Scott, an architectural photographer
who was friends with Erickson and is now
president of the Arthur Erickson House and
Garden Foundation. “Most people who build on
waterfront property place the house right at the

18

edge of the waterfront looking right out at the sea.
Arthur didn’t do that. He turned it at a right angle
to the cliff edge, so you’re not overly aware of it,
but you have that intrigue, that wonderful aspect
of wondering what’s beyond.”
Its ﬁrst owner, Rob Filberg, would never occupy
the house. Filberg wanted a hub where people
could gather to share ideas, but he died
unexpectedly at the age of 33, mere months before
his cliffside jewel was complete. Shortly after, a
geologist purchased the home; then around 1990,
it was sold to a now-notorious doctor who
renovated the home so drastically that furious
architecture watchers called it “a desecration.”
Gone were the stunning walls of glass; plywood
covered in garish pink stucco took their place.
Interior walls were coated with prefab, wallpapercovered plywood sheets, and the skylights were
boarded up. The home was ﬁnished with
cheap-looking windows and doors.
Field had made his fortune as the largest

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Arthur Ericksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Glass House is on the market for the ďŹ rst time in
10 years. Sited at the highest point on the peninsula, on the eastern
coast of Vancouver Island, the 8-acre property has 270-degree views
of the ocean and the bay. It also has a helipad. Details, page 109.

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DESIGNPHILE

ARCHIVES

This page: Field recreated Erickson’s
cedar sunscreens and reintroduced the
yellow board and batten, both inside and
out. Columns wrapped in cedar tubes
are unique light standards that cast their
glow upward and down.

manufacturer of drift-jigging ﬁshing lures in
North America with his company Buzz Bomb &
Zzinger Lures. A natural tinkerer, Field also had a
penchant for buying properties people didn’t want
and making them desirable. That’s what he was
doing with the steeply sloped, sand-covered lot
adjacent to the Filberg house just as the doctor
was taking it apart.
“I got a good look at him destroying it because
I’m a helicopter pilot as well,” says Field. “I would
check the progress on the house and think, Oh
my God, he’s converting it from a glass house to a
pink stucco cocoon.”
In 1999, the doctor put the home back on the
market. And while most Erickson houses would
sell in a snap, there was so little of his original
design left that the pink stucco cocoon sat—
until Field bought the property for just under
$500,000 and began its meticulous resuscitation.
Over the next nine months, Field ripped out every
feature that the previous owner had added. Using
photographs and accounts of the original home
for reference, he replaced the pink stucco walls
with thermal low-E panes that weren’t available
when the house was ﬁrst designed, and he
uncovered the skylights.
The brass hood over the ﬁreplace had been
demolished, but Field had an Austrian tinsmith in
Courtenay create a replica. He reintroduced the
yellow cedar board and batten, both inside and
out, and recreated the cedar sunscreens. He even
has the keys from Filberg’s 1958 Edsel station
wagon hanging on a key rack inside.
It took some time, but Scott—who consulted on
Field’s renovation by providing plans, photos and
advice—eventually convinced Erickson that he
should see the restored house in person.
Standing in the centre of the home, the
architect—then 40 years older and a star of the
design world—looked carefully at the restoration,
including two alterations to the original design:
the clear glass Field had installed above the living
room rock wall in place of opaque ﬁbreglass
panels, and the yellow cedar board and batten he
had carried through to the north wall.
“He has his arms crossed, and he’s looking
north and then south. And then he’s looking
upwards at the two walls and he says, ‘You know
what? I think I like this better,’ ” recalls Field.
“That was an extreme compliment.”

RIPE FOR REINVENTION
In this issue, we looked at the restoration and
renovation or expansion of some typical housing—
including a bungalow and a post-and-beam home—that
showed potential to be transformed for stylish, luxurious
living. In Canada we have been building bungalows
since the 1880s—ﬁrst, Arts and Crafts designs by notable
architects such as Samuel Maclure, and then, after the
Second World War, as affordable housing. According to
the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the

ﬁrst-generation suburbs—built after that war and
dominated by bungalows—represent about one-third of
our housing stock. These homes are now in transition,
experiencing everything from renovation to demolition.
Here are some recent listings for bungalows and
post-and-beam homes that reﬂect a sampling of current
prices (as of February 2011) across the country. All
amounts are in Canadian dollars.
—Joy Ferguson

• 3 storeys, 10 bedrooms, 4 baths
• built in 1927
• income property on
almost half an acre

A SAMPLING OF
CANADA’S ARTS AND CRAFTS
BUNGALOWS
Originating in England, the Arts and
Crafts movement ﬂourished in
Europe and Canada from the late
1800s to the First World War. The
movement celebrated traditional
craftsmanship, simple forms and
the natural beauty of materials.

BC’s Thompson Okanagan Valley justly deserves its alias of “Canada’s Paradise”.
It is also, the domain of custom home builder extraordinaire:

Bellamy Homes.

The Okanagan, is renowned for Canada’s longest golf season, lush orchards, world
class ski resorts, dozens of VQA caliber vineyards and wineries, and Canada’s only
true desert environment. All of this on the shores of crystal clear lakes. Undoubtedly
this is why it is the premier retirement and seasonal residence destination in Canada.
The urban jewel of the valley is Kelowna. Demographically almost identical to Oakville
Ontario: Kelowna retains its small city charm, includes every urban amenity, and blends
seamlessly with the nature that cradles it. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are
forgiving and short. The “Okanagan Lifestyle” is
connected to nature, active, social and genteel.

It takes an experienced Okanagan
custom home builder, like Bellamy
Homes to maximize the breathtaking
views and vistas, integrate indoor &
outdoor living spaces and address the
implications of hillside placement into
home design, construction techniques
& décor features and bring them all
together within your personal vision of
home.
Precious few have achieved the
impressive collection of awards &
accolades for excellence in home
design, construction and customer
service that Bellamy Homes garners year after year. The distinguishing characteristic of Bellamy Homes is the persona at the
head and heart of the company. Les Bellamy is not only the CEO; the principal designer for the Bellamy Design division; your
expert Site Evaluation Specialist there to walk your lot before the design work and construction can begin; on site virtually
daily with the trades’ supervisors and suppliers’ installers; setting the detailed schedule that ensures the build runs smoothly
and; there to walk you through your finished home bringing comfort and advice on how to best operate the functional systems
of your home.
It is Les’ attention to detail that ensures the
Bellamy Homes commitment to uncompromising
craftsmanship and genuine customer care. The
tangibles of concrete, stone and wood are mixed with
the intangibles of expertise, integrity, honesty and
team work. “When you’re clear, honest and upfront, it
all goes smoothly. I work at building friendships with
every custom home.”
Call this number: 250.470.2429
Les Bellamy will answer.
www.bellamyhomes.ca

DESIGNPHILE

GOODS

TASTE TESTED
Designs for the kitchen so artfully executed they
can almost stand alone as sculptural accents.

Elegant and rustic in equal
measure, the Branches
chandelier by the talented
Brothers Dressler was a hit at
Toronto’s Interior Design
Show (IDS) in January.
brothersdressler.com

Designer Michael Young’s modular Tetrix from
Scavolini, another introduction at IDS, brings a
bold new palette of colours, ultimate ﬂexibility
of layout and a clean, hardware-free proﬁle to
kitchen design. scavolini.com

Modern Revision’s limitededition desk is a mash-up of
styles—trad lady’s writing
table meets ’50s kitchen—that
has retro written all over it.
modernrevision.com

A stunning core of tart cherry in this
medium-bodied silky wine with some
spices on the ﬁnish. Magniﬁcent
length, depth and voluptuousness.
One of Canada’s best pinots, if not
the best. Pair it with that cedarplanked wild salmon or grilled
leg of lamb.

A full-bodied, classically structured
red with the elegance and balance of
Bordeaux—and California’s fruit
concentration and power. This wine
has a long life ahead of it and will
reward many years in the cellar.
Unwilling to wait to savour those
alluring aromas of blackberry, cedar
brush and black plums? Pair with
trufﬂed grilled chicken or thinly sliced
Kobe beef.

JUST ADD
FLAVOUR
MUCH AS YOU MAY ENJOY READING
this book, you likely won’t get through
more than a few pages at a time. Why?
Because you’ll keep slipping away to
experiment with ﬂavour pairings or to
whip up one of the casually tantalizing
dishes described in its pages. U.K. author
Niki Segnit had set out to rid herself of
the recipe dependence that 20 years of
cooking had inculcated in her. Why could
she not cook by instinct, she wondered,
as her mother and grandmother had?
Perhaps slavishly following recipes was
causing her lack of conﬁdence and
innovation as a cook. The quest led her to
compile The Flavor Thesaurus, a guided
tour of food groups and ﬂavour
matchups, regional culinary traditions
and wide-ranging expert opinions.
While, for practical reasons, Segnit limits
herself to 99 ﬂavour categories, the
permutations and combinations
suggested within her book appear
inﬁnite—you’ll never be able to attempt
them all, which is not to suggest you
shouldn’t try. Delivered in a low-key,
intimate tone reminiscent of the beloved
late American food writer Laurie Colwin,
this last-cookbook-you’ll-ever-need is fun
to dip into for late-night reading but also
eminently useful for consulting over the
stovetop. Bloomsbury USA, 383 pages, $27

Rack Stars
This sleek vertical wine storage system made an appearance at the
2011 Interior Design Show’s Studio North, which showcased works
by design entrepreneurs and innovators from across Canada.
Quebeckers Sylvain Ouellette and Denis Letellier developed this
alternative to traditional wood racking—small-footprint stainless
steel standing tubes that will bring an au courant industrial vibe to
contemporary kitchens and wine cellars. Each adjustable-height
2”-diameter tube is punctured with multiple holes from which your
favourite vintages will appear to defy gravity while hanging on by
their necks. Holds 30 to 42 bottles, depending on model. By Vinox Concept.

26

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22/02/11 3:06 PM

The difference between
creating a house they’ll want
to come home to and one
they’ll never want to leave.

The Electrolux ICON® series of appliances can help turn a house into a home, a kitchen into a living room.
That’s because each appliance has been designed for optimal performance and aesthetic detail: racks move
with the touch of a finger, cooking surfaces are unobtrusive and clean easily, touch panels disappear, and
refrigerators and dishwashers work quietly. Available in a bold Professional Series and a graceful Designer
Series, Electrolux ICON® appliances can help you create kitchens people will never want to leave.
For more than 80 years Electrolux appliances have graced the kitchens of fine European homes and
restaurants. For more information, or to view the Electrolux ICON® series on the web, visit electroluxicon.com.

DESIGN: LOHA: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects
LOCATION: Venice, Calif.
In the 15-by-18-foot kitchen in his own newly built house in Venice, Calif.,
Los Angeles-based architect Lorcan O’Herlihy chose to forgo an island,
opting for a large table that can double as a work surface and deﬁnes the
space, he says, “more as a room and a place to hang out than a kitchen.”
The measurements of the cabinetry in the kitchen, as well as in the other
rooms, are based on a two-foot module O’Herlihy developed for the house
as a whole, creating a soothing and very orderly cohesion.
The architect designed the kitchen table and benches, made of blackstained oak. Their simple, strong lines are both elegant and utilitarian.
Backless benches reinforce the minimalism of the room, and of the house
as a whole. The austere simplicity of the interior space allows the
complexity of the house’s exterior—evidenced by the unique pattern of
vertical windows in a staggered placement—to claim the attention.

1

Floating cabinets proffer a horizontal interpretation of the two-foot-wide
vertical windows. All of the horizontal surfaces in this kitchen are usable;
the owners place butcher-block slabs on the ﬂoating cabinets to
maximize function.
Poured concrete, left raw and slightly roughened, is a practical choice for
the countertop around the sink and stove.

Open stainless steel shelving and hanging racks for implements keep
items in daily use at close reach, while the lack of upper cabinets advances
the feeling of openness.
In a kitchen this size, the standard triangle plan of sink-stove-fridge is not
necessary for efﬁciency, O’Herlihy says.

Smart solution Rectangular recesses were carved out between the ceiling
joists to hold uplights that reﬂect off the white surfaces. The recesses are
based on the same narrow vertical principle as the home’s other
measurements but are of smaller proportions to ﬁt between 16-inch joists.

20/02/11 3:42 PM

In tune with the minimalist sensibility of the
house, this kitchen uses a carefully
limited palette of materials.

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LIVING SPACE

ANDRÉ DOYON

DESIGNPHILE

30

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2

DESIGN: Gestion René Desjardins Inc.
LOCATION: Montreal, Que.

Full-height windows on three sides of this 23rd-ﬂoor Montreal
apartment—formed from a renovation by designer René Desjardins that
combined two penthouses into a large rectangle—gave this kitchen its
most important attributes: plentiful natural light and sweeping views of
the city and the St. Lawrence River.
The open-concept space leaves the kitchen in full view of the dining area
and living room, so making it livable was important. Dark-toned cabinetry
and appliances deﬁne the actual workspace, creating continuity with a wall
of charcoal grey-stained oak in the living room. Ash ﬂoors were given a
caffe latte stain. Although the backdrop of the space—ceiling, most of the
walls, even structural columns—is painted white, the look is warm.
A dining table of solid walnut on a patinated steel base adds an element of
craftsmanship with an industrial touch that suits the loft-style apartment.
Comfortably large, the table provides seating for 10 people, while its
proximity to the island allows it to stand in easily as an extra workspace.
Cabinetry, topped with charcoal-coloured granite counters, is faced in
glass, creating reﬂective surfaces that enhance the already abundant light.
Glass doors lead to an outdoor terrace that runs alongside the dining
area, bringing into the living space not just the city but also any high-rise
garden efforts.
For privacy, sheets of fabric made of natural ﬁbres with threads of stainless
steel—hidden from view when raised, as shown here—descend from the
ceiling at the touch of a button.
Smart detail Three vertical bookshelves keep good reads and cookbooks
on hand and declare that this is a living space, not a show space.
MATERIALS PALETTE

Using a combination of
mellow-hued materials allowed
the designer to avoid the
‘laboratory’ look of some
modern kitchens.

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DESIGNPHILE

LIVING SPACE

‘The repetition of cabinetry material
and the style of built-in niches throughout
the house enhance the sense of the
kitchen as part of the living space.’
DESIGN: Safdie Rabines Architects
LOCATION: New York City
This kitchen was crafted as part of the renovation of an 18-foot-wide
townhouse. Many of the design solutions here, created by the San
Diego-based architects Taal Safdie and Ricardo Rabines, respond to the
challenges of making workable space in a narrow city home.
A typical New York City brownstone, this house sits side by side with its
neighbours, allowing little light within except from the rear. By creating a
two-storey kitchen, the architects were able to bring light through the
rear windows into the ﬁrst and second ﬂoors. The kitchen is open to
both the dining room and the front entrance, as well as to the family
room on the second level.
The square shape of the cabinets and the open shelves interspersed
among them impart a more sculptural look than standard vertical
cabinets. They are crafted of avodire, a tropical wood with a beautiful
strong grain.
No space goes unused in New York real estate. A narrow breakfast table
paired with built-in benches carves maximum utility out of a windowed
nook. Precious inches were allocated to a sculptural built-in wine rack.
Stainless steel is the architects’ countertop material of choice for the sink
area, and it provides a cool contrast to the warm wood tones. Durable
precast concrete with a terrazzo look tops the island.
Pale maple ﬂoors of the same colour but with a less prominent grain than
the avodire cabinetry tie in without claiming all the attention.

3

The architects retained two of the existing beams from the second ﬂoor—
they’re a reminder of the home’s history and provide a support for two
tracks of halogen lights that create an intimate zone for drinks and
pre-dinner chat around the island.

Smart solution Fold-down tables at each end of the formal dining room,
which is too narrow to hold a buffet, are used for serving or as a bar when
entertaining. They create a separation from the kitchen area. Afterward,
they close up so as not to impede trafﬁc ﬂow.

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LIVING SPACE

MARGARET MULLIGAN

DESIGNPHILE

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4

DESIGN: Jennifer Worts Design
LOCATION: Toronto, Ont.
Designed as part of the renovation of an outdated Toronto home for a
family of ﬁve, this kitchen, like the house, was given a clean contemporary
look. A 4-by-8-foot island dominates the space; it was designed as a prep
area for multiple cooks. This kitchen isn’t a gathering space, designer
Jennifer Worts says; the living and dining rooms across the back of the
house serve that purpose. This kitchen is all about function.
The predominantly white colour palette is a continuation of the scheme
in the rest of the house. A chunky (4-inch) dark-stained wood trim with a
prominent grain adds warmth and softens the lines of the island while
picking up on the exposed wood mouldings and window trim
throughout the home.
A backsplash of white Calcutta marble tile with a soft grey vein, laid
subway style, creates an elegant, textural focal point on the wall above the
range and on the adjacent wall (not shown).
A white CaesarStone quartz countertop is both beautiful and practical; it is
impervious even to hot pots.
A traditional-style dark oak table is a sophisticated alternative to typical
kitchen furniture; pairing it with modern white leather chairs on sleek
chrome legs keeps the look up to date. At one end, open storage and a
cantilevered shelf in the same dark wood as the island trim set the
breakfast area apart from the rest of the kitchen workspace.
For greatest efﬁciency, the designer prefers that the principal work zones
pay heed to the traditional kitchen triangle, as the sink, range top and
refrigerator do here in close proximity.
The brushed stainless steel hardware on the lower cabinetry is large-scale,
creating visual interest and making it easy to grab even when the cook has
other items in her hands. The upper cabinets were given small knobs so
as not to distract attention from the backsplash.
Although this kitchen has lots of shiny surfaces that build a glamorous
look, the formaldehyde-free cabinetry has a matte ﬁnish, which shows less
wear over time than a high-gloss surface.
Smart details The expanse of upper cabinetry is broken by frosted-glass
cabinet doors ﬂanking the range hood. Above the range, a single cabinet
accessed via a garage-style door affords storage for lesser-used items.
MATERIALS PALETTE

‘White bridges all styles.
It can be utterly traditional or
extremely contemporary.’
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PORTFOLIO

In Excess
The mayhem of contemporary
culture gets lush expression
in the paintings of Montreal’s
Benjamin Klein.
By John Bentley Mays

T

he canvas shows a bright
summery blue sky and a grassy
green foreground that recedes
toward a horizon line drawn in
the middle distance. It is landscape art in the venerable Western tradition of
picturing the natural world—or at least that’s one
face it shows to the viewer.
Striking and very fresh, This Magic Moment
won emerging Montreal artist Benjamin Klein
his place among the finalists in the 2010 RBC
Canadian Painting Competition. Klein, however,
is no reborn Group of Seven landscape artist.
This Magic Moment is a congested scene of sharp
collisions and improbable apparitions. Patches
of stormy abstract paintwork abut a passage
of pastoral calm, two large standing stretchers (the most conspicuous man-made objects
in the picture) seem to have fallen from the
sky, a white mini-Niagara gushes, impossibly,
from a dark, ominous object that may (or may
not) be a tree. A narrative is created by these

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Left: Sleepwalker, 2010
Oil on canvas, 183 x 122 cm

KLEIN BELONGS TO A GENERATION OF
YOUNG ARTISTS WHO BELIEVE PAINTING
CAN BE AN ACTIVE INSTRUMENT OF
CRITICAL INQUIRY AND DISCOVERY.

juxtapositions of imagery, but it is not the reassuring bedtime story—everything in its place
and all’s right with the world—that traditional
landscape painting tells so effectively.
So what is this narrative about? The principal
clue, I think, is not in this or that scrap of Klein’s
brushwork—as interesting and provocative as
it is—but in the status of This Magic Moment as
tumultuous landscape work. I hesitate to load a
ponderous art-historical pedigree onto this painting, which strikes me as very contemporary, and
very much on the edge of what is possible for
painting now. But I was struck by its resonance
with earlier art that similarly springs from, and
expresses, experiences of discontinuity and
disruption. The German romantic landscape

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Have You Been Half Asleep, 2010
Oil on canvas, 75 x 89 cm

painter Caspar David Friedrich especially came
to mind, as Friedrich was, like Klein is today,
far less concerned with accurately depicting
nature’s every leaf and cloud than with portraying
profoundly disordered states of consciousness in
the visual language of landscape.
For Friedrich, the sources of this psychic and
spiritual disorder were the French Revolution
and the subsequent decades of the Napoleonic
Wars, with their harvests of exile and displacement for millions of Europeans. For Klein, they
appear to be the ongoing social and cultural
revolutions in everyday life set in motion by
those European events of 200 years ago, magniﬁed and inserted in the lives of everyone by global industrialization and mass communications.

Klein has described his artistic position as
one of “total unmooring” and “radical uncertainty.” Whatever comforts and reassurances
we may ﬁnd to ease our way forward, we know
in our bones that the stance Klein has adopted
in his art, given the bewildering state of culture,
is authentic and exemplary. This is not to say
that painting should merely reﬂect its cultural context in a passive, uncritical way. On the
contrary, Klein belongs to a generation of young
artists who strongly believe painting can be an
active instrument of critical inquiry and discovery, a generator of ideas that can help make
sense of the bewildering panoply of information and incident and spectacle thrown up incessantly by contemporary urban culture.

This Magic Moment is an instance of renewed
conﬁdence in painting, and in modern painting’s promise to analyze raw states of subjective consciousness. The central characters in
this work, after all, are stretchers, the physical
supports no easel painting can do without. They
are (or could be) empty stretchers, signifying
infinite possibility, the “radical uncertainty”
that confronts every artist before he or she puts
brush to canvas—and each one of us before we
embark on some new adventure of the mind
or spirit. There is radical openness here, and a
deeply attractive vulnerability to the unknowing that must first be embraced if we are to
know anything at all about the world, and about
ourselves.

•

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FROM THE GROUND UP

Rethink, Redraw, Resolve
A New Brunswick couple and their architects face the realities of building
on a rugged property and alter their home’s design to suit the setting.
By Suzanne Robicheau

[ Part 2: THE DESIGN ]
In the winter 2011 issue of IA&D, we introduced you to Robert Moore and Judith Mackin, who
had just purchased a steeply pitched lot with a view of the Bay of Fundy in downtown Saint
John. Inspired by this green space in the heart of the city, the couple quickly formed a mental image
of the new, modern house they would build on its peak.
They began working with Acre Architects (formerly The Acre Collective) to create a design. Acre
principals Monica Adair and Stephen Kopp developed conceptual drawings for the house, a twolevel structure they dubbed The Belvedere for its intended command of the setting and the view.
But the architects were also compelled to point out the obstacles to building on a site with such
radical topography—rocky terrain, a 100-foot rise and two separate levels of ground—particularly
the high costs associated with creating access and supplying services to the site.
The firm encouraged Robert and Judith to take a hard, practical look at their plans and
reconsider the siting of the house. In fact, this is an essential and ongoing part of any home design
or renovation: adapting the plans to suit the realities of site, budget and other constraints. Then,
the architects went back to the drawing board and devised a new concept: Into the Wild. The house
would be built on the broader middle level of the property and complemented by a small secondary structure at the peak, reached by way of a two-minute stroll over a zigzagged path. Here’s how
Judith and Robert altered their plans without letting go of their dream. —The Editors

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Design 1: The Belvedere
Design 2: Into the Wild

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[ STEP BY STEP ]
Rethinking, redesigning and reﬁning the concept

1

Simply put, a house at the top of the hill would be more expensive to
build, especially if preparing the foundation requires the use of
dynamite. The architects also estimated an additional $250 per linear
metre to take services up the hill.
Building at the peak, which offers a smaller area of ﬂat land, would mean
essentially creating a house of stairs—that is, with several levels. The
staggered elevation could become a limiting factor in Judith and Robert’s plan to
grow old in this house. Building on the broader middle ground creates the
opportunity for decks, terraces and walkways that ﬂow seamlessly on one level
from the principal rooms, and the outdoors can be an integral part of the home.
Judith and Robert discovered a precedent for building on middle
ground when they learned that the site’s original 19th-century house
once stood there. And then they happened to watch a documentary about
Frank Lloyd Wright. “Wright says that you should never build on a hill,”
says Robert. “If you build on a hill, you lose the hill.”
The rock face of the hill, with its various formations, creates a natural
amphitheatre and is arguably the most dramatic physical feature on the
property. The Belvedere plan, which opted for the higher building site, would
have relegated the rock face to a view enjoyed only in passing on the way up the
driveway. Building on the new site positions it front and centre.
The lot is large and has many points of access, and because it has
been vacant for several decades it has generally been regarded as
public property. Part of the appeal of building on higher ground was that
it would make the house more secure and private. Adair and Kopp
demonstrated that it was possible to arrange walls, fences and sightlines
in a way to afford an equal sense of security on the middle ground, where
there is actually more protection and privacy.
Building at the top of the property would have meant landscaping all of the
land below; building in the middle and leaving the top wild preserves natural
habitat, while reducing costs.

2

3

4

5

6

Above: The architects created a threedimensional model—even photographing
Judith and Robert’s paintings and sculptures
and displaying them in miniature—that allowed
the couple (opposite) to envision the spaces and
plot the placement of furniture and art in their
future home.
Top: A drawing of the house is superimposed
on a photograph of the setting to foster an
understanding of the house’s exterior.
Opposite, bottom: Early drawings of two
concepts of the home: the initial plan, known
as The Belvedere, and the revised version,
called Into the Wild.

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FROM THE GROUND UP

[ PLANNING THE SPACE ]
As part of the planning process, Acre Architects worked with
Judith and Robert to design a space suited to their current needs
and lifestyle. They also considered adaptations for future or
occasional use.

•

Initial drawings included a central kitchen island with stools.
In a bid to save space, the architects replaced the island with a
sit-down eating nook, large enough to seat four. It is one of
Judith’s favourite aspects of the design. “We are MacBook
people,” she says. “We’re rarely at our desks and we like to work
together in the same room.”

•

The couple like the idea of a completely separate cabin,
essentially a “getaway” incorporated into their home’s design.
“We had an actual cabin once,” Judith says. “We had it just long
enough to know that we are not cabin people.”

•

Judith—an entrepreneur who runs a marketing company from
her home—needed enough space to accommodate an art and
design studio. She and Robert also wanted a spare room for
their occasional overnight guests. Rather than designate 125
square feet for a separate guest room, the architects suggested
incorporating a hidden wall bed in an ofﬁce space for Judith. An
added bonus: Should stairs ever become difﬁcult for either
Judith or Robert, the ofﬁce can be easily converted to a spacious
main-ﬂoor bedroom.

‘THE SITE IS JUST UNDER A
HECTARE—APPROXIMATELY
ONE-THIRD OF A CITY
BLOCK. IF THIS WERE
MANHATTAN, 236,125
PEOPLE WOULD LIVE ON IT.’
—Monica Adair, Acre Architects

42

•

Judith and Robert had envisioned a courtyard, but the
architects pointed out that this would turn the focus inward and
would ignore the impressive site. Instead, they pulled the garage
away from the house and rotated it 90 degrees, creating two
important areas: a private deck off Judith’s ofﬁce and a covered
entryway. The garage will offer a privacy barrier against the
neighbouring properties. And because Judith and Robert are
party people, the architects introduced the idea of the garage as
a ﬂexible additional space for entertaining. A polished concrete
ﬂoor will make it welcoming, and a second large door at one end
will open onto a private deck and encourage circulation. —S.R.

Robert initially wanted to have two separate workspaces—a
sculpture studio that includes storage space for his tools and a
home ofﬁce for his work as a professor and poet. The cabin will
indeed provide his studio space, but he reconsidered dedicating
a room to his ofﬁce, deciding, “All I really need is a good light, a
good chair, and a laptop.”

Occupants
Owners Judith Mackin and
Robert Moore. Their home
will accommodate a family
that includes Robert’s
14-year-old daughter,
Alexandra, who lives with
them most weekends;
Judith’s 20-year-old son,
Robyn, who visits often;
Robert’s oldest daughter,
Jessica, and her ﬁancé, who
are regular visitors. —S.R.

principal
deck / green roof
deck

green
roof

IA&D is following
Judith Mackin and Robert
Moore as they design and
build their dream home. In
future issues, we’ll visit the
building site and report on
their progress.

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or years Stephen Fitterman, a corporate litigator who has since
reﬁned his argumentative style from those days when he would win by
bopping his older sister (namely, me) on the head, had been searching for a
property on which to build something new. Stephen was a stickler, holding
out for that perfect piece of land, preferably close to Vancouver’s waterfront.
But as he stood inside the classic post-and-beam structure with the dark
warren of rooms and tacky colour schemes, on a 66-by-120-foot lot in a
neighbourhood where he had never before considered buying a home, something clicked. “It was the house’s bones,” he says. “I saw the potential for an
indoor-outdoor lifestyle.”
Stephen loved the mid-century modern feel of the place. It reminded
him of Palm Springs, where he had vacationed often. And the house’s
footprint—2,200 square feet on one level, including a rundown outbuilding—was larger than the zoning bylaws would allow for new construction.
Why tempt fate, then, by tearing it down?
The ﬁrst challenge was choosing an architect. Stephen needed someone
who had done this kind of renovation before and would understand he
didn’t want a show house so much as a classic modernist home he could
live in for the rest of his life. He wanted to do it once and do it right.

48

Above left: From the street, the three maple trees in the
garden and the new skylight are barely visible over the yew
hedge. On the boulevard, Stephen planted blue oat grass,
honeysuckle, ironwood trees and a ground cover
known as New Zealand brass buttons.
This page: The retro-style Hugues Chevalier sofa contains
a drinks shelf that also holds a pull-out brass ashtray. The
coffee table, by the same designer, comes with four
multifunctional leather-covered footstools. An orange
painting, Crossing the Mirror, by David Shapiro, provides
welcome colour. Glass bowl sculpture (on the dining
table) by Australian artist Cobi Cockburn.

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ARCH ITECTU R E

A work by Graham Gillmore, Save
the Day, Fly by Night, overlooks the
dining area and living room, while a
19th-century West Coast Native
headpiece sits on the coffee table.
The painting on the right is by
Etienne Zack. The Tabriz carpet is
of Herati design.

Bottom: Leather club chairs in the
living room face a ﬁreplace of
hammered limestone. Panels above
the ﬁreplace can be closed to
conceal a 52-inch plasma television
screen. To its right is another piece
by Etienne Zack.

It didn’t take long to ﬁnd Stuart Howard, whose Vancouver architectural
ﬁrm has done a number of renovations, ranging from heritage to contemporary. For hours at a time, the two men pored over tracing paper, ﬁguring
out how to integrate 21st-century materials into a mid-20th-century design
with as few structural changes as possible. Stephen knew what he wanted,
from the amount of hanging space for his suits to the horizontal placement
of electrical outlets in the baseboards to make them less obtrusive.
For Howard, the relatively simple plan was a welcome change of pace.
He knew that clients’ wish lists—an extra bedroom, for example—can overwhelm what is already there and turn a project into a completely different
kind of house. “Not Stephen,” he says. “He wanted to pare things down and he
was meticulous about everything, even where the mail slot would go.”
For the exterior cladding, they decided to forgo the typical stucco in favour of
a more contemporary look. They chose SuperPanel, a low-maintenance ﬁbrecement board from Germany that looks like concrete but does not contain steel
or gravel; it is supplied in four-by-eight-foot sheets and mounted with stainless
steel screws. A new 48-foot skylight running the width of the house means that
lights don’t have to be turned on until the sun disappears, no matter the time of
year. And before installing the skylight, Howard’s team closely studied where light
would hit the interior walls at various times of the day so they could position it in

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The 13-foot kitchen island allows plenty of
cooking space; lined with Cherner bar stools of
lightweight moulded plywood, it takes the
place of a breakfast table. The cup and saucer
are from Hycroft, our grandfatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defunct
china factory in Medicine Hat, Alta. By the
entrance, a portrait of Herbert von Karajan by
Derek Root gazes obliquely toward the door.
Cherner bar stools, Bombast Furniture. Runner,
East India Carpets. All millwork, Interior Craft.

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ARCH ITECTU R E

The original ďŹ&#x201A;oor plan of the house was
changed only to open up spaces or to
accommodate larger facilities. The kitchen,
for example, now features a cozy sitting
zone with open shelving to display art
and mementoes. Countertop, CaesarStone
in Lagos Blue. Celadon Vessel (fruit bowl)
by Josef Roschar.

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Above: The eight-foot-tall windows were carefully
positioned so the light hitting the interior walls at
various times of the day would not fade the
artworks inside the house. Windows and skylight,
Craftsman Glazing & Skylites.
Left: Before the renovation, the garden was little
more than a few scraggly pine trees. Now it features
lush, artful plantings, including three maple trees
whose leaves drop at different times and turn
different colours.

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ARCH ITECTU R E

a way that would not fade the artworks inside the house.
In the front, the eight-foot-tall windows are mullioned
to create more of a visual barrier from the street, while the
entry is ﬂanked by a six-foot-high polished-concrete wall,
which is softened by a dense hedge of yew shrubs. A water
feature buffers sound from the street and proffers a special
sense of arrival as visitors walk through the garden to the
bright red front door with the vertical mail slot. The garden
itself, once little more than a few scraggly pine trees, has
been re-landscaped with tall grasses, ground cover, ferns
and three maple trees, including an Acer Sango-kaku,
with its electric-yellow leaves in autumn and bark that, in
winter, turns ruby red. At the back of the house, the existing fence was clad in horizontal cedar bands, with evergreen magnolias planted
alongside it to provide shade and privacy.
All electrical wiring and most interior ﬁnishes were torn out. The house was
then stripped to its studs—leaving only the original posts, beams and tongueand-groove ceiling—for a renovation that included joining the outbuilding to
the house and transforming it into a second bedroom with walk-in closet and
bathroom. Neutral tones are the rule. Save for the bedrooms, which are carpeted,
the ﬂooring throughout the home is a dense cream marble veined in taupe and
grey. The ceilings are painted a green-grey taupe, beams and all, while countertops are in resilient quartz-based CaesarStone, in a taupe-blue that ﬁts well

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Opposite page, left: Stephen’s ofﬁce looks
out onto the front garden and a lion’s head
maple tree. The custom credenza is of
anigre wood and the African sculpture is
from the family collection. Credenza,
Interior Craft. Eames ofﬁce chair,
LivingSpace.

Opposite page, right: An expanse of wall
underneath the skylight showcases a series
of family photos from the 1940s to the
1960s. Reﬂecting the homeowner’s
meticulous attention to detail is the
horizontal placement of electrical outlets in
the baseboards to make them unobtrusive.

Above: The guest room also functions as a
library, albeit one with a Missoni carpet
and a sofa that unfolds into a bed. An
original Eames LCM chair sits in front of
built-in anigre shelves. Pastel by John
Hartman (right, leaning against the shelves).
Photograph by Ron Terada.

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ARCH ITECTU R E

Stephen created a walkout to the pool and gardens
from the large master suite, which he gave a wall of
windows and doors with the intention of ﬁlling the
room with light. The original ceiling beams are prized
for their subtle character, especially the few that have
slightly warped over time. Matteo bedding, Bacci’s.

A SKYLIGHT RUNNING THE WIDTH
OF THE HOUSE MEANS THAT LIGHTS
DON’T HAVE TO BE TURNED ON UNTIL
THE SUN DISAPPEARS, NO MATTER
THE TIME OF YEAR.

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with the home’s cool aesthetic. The pièce de résistance is millwork in anigre, a
hardwood from Africa, all on a horizontal grain with a light, natural ﬁnish. The
walk-through closet on the way to the master bedroom is made of anigre, as are
the boxes between the beams that hide the ceiling lights.
The furniture is a mix, recycled and new, testament to Stephen’s commitment to
comfort and style over building a mid-century shrine. A new 10-foot-long matteblack oak dining table is surrounded by award-winning base-head saddle chairs
which he has had for years; they’re from the defunct Toronto design collective
Portico. Across the room, a new sofa by New York’s Hugues Chevalier, which
evokes the 1940s, sits adjacent to shelves that hold an antique West Coast First
Nations cedar basket. Stephen’s wide-ranging art collection includes a mask by
Northwest Coast artist Beau Dick, photographs by Scott McFarland, multimedia work by Pierre Dorion, and paintings by Etienne Zack, John Hartman and
Graham Gillmore. A specially commissioned raw-steel sculpture by London-based
artist Cathy Azria sits in the gas ﬁreplace.
There is also a series of family photos from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s: our grandfather cutting cane in Cuba in a challenge against the Governor of Havana at
the height of the Cold War; the three siblings, with me and my sister dressed in
dirndls our grandmother brought back from Europe; a young Stephen perched
precariously on the roof of a horse barn with his younger cousin, their arms
outstretched to keep their balance on top of the world.

•

A walk-through closet leading to
the master bedroom is made of
anigre hardwood, as are the boxes
between the beams that hide the
ceiling lights.

For ﬂoor plans, see page 110
A Beau Dick portrait mask on the
wall offers a counterpoint to the
sculptures on the edge of the
bath. Faucets, Hansgrohe. Kashmir
marble ﬂooring, surround, Simply
Stones.

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PHOTO E SSAY

The living room appears to be a vast open
space, but it can be closed to the
elements with a push of the button that
operates two 25-foot-long glass curtains in
an anodized steel frame that hang on a
rail system. The original structure was
enclosed, including half of the pool, but a
windstorm tore out the glass wall soon
after the house was built. The owner and
architect liked the open effect and so
devised the current system.

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Palm Springs, Calif.

OF EARTH AND SKY
PERCHED HALFWAY UP A DESERT CLIFF, A FREEWHEELING
’60s HOUSE MERGES INDOORS AND OUT UNDER A GREAT
DOMED ROOF THAT OFFERS GLIMPSES OF THE STARS.
BY CAROLYN KENNEDY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNDINE PRÖHL

Above: Sitting already at the
tip of a mountain ridge, the
house is at once perched as
if atop a platform and dug
into the rock cliff.

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PHOTO E SSAY

It sits on a plot of land on the northern tip of the south ridge of California’s
Santa Rosa Mountains, the only spot that can be privately owned in an area
of protected natural wilderness comprised by the Santa Rosas and the neighbouring San Jacintos. Fringed by mountains, the site also offers a sweeping view of the
valley—the desert triangle tucked among three mountain ranges known as Palm
Springs. The house itself is perched as if atop a platform, yet intimately integrated
into the cliff. You could search for a long time and not ﬁnd another site like this.
That’s what real estate investor Mike Kilroy, the home’s current owner, realized
when he chanced to view this house, which was built by the celebrated American
architect John Lautner in 1968. Enticed by the structure itself, Kilroy also saw the
serendipitous conﬂuence of a great setting coming together with great design.
The net result, as Kilroy describes it, is a house that is “utterly site-speciﬁc” and
provides “the ‘wow’ of house and view and setting.”
Just as rare is the simpatico and mutual respect Kilroy recognized as having
existed among the architect, the contractor and the initial homeowner, a noted
interior designer named Arthur Elrod. The contractor, Wally Niewiadomski, was
an expert in working with concrete, and the last to work with Frank Lloyd Wright.

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Opposite: The dome of the living room is
composed of nine blades of concrete,
interspersed with glass panels and
concrete-washed wood planks. In the 1971
James Bond ﬁlm Diamonds Are Forever, the
house was used as a set for the home of
Willard Whyte, a Howard Hughes-type
character. The original furnishings were
swapped out for the movie scenes, in
which Sean Connery’s Bond fought the
villain’s bodyguards, Thumper and Bambi,
in and around the pool; the ﬁlmmakers
needed freedom to break some of the
furniture in the melee.
This page: The Edward Fields carpet in the
living room features the same circle
pattern as the original, rendered in a
different colour palette. Curved sofas were
always part of the look, but the current
ones are streamlined and cantilevered.

‘Great architecture, to me, is about
organizing and creating spaces.
It has little to do with what the
structure is made of or how it looks.’
—Mike Kilroy, homeowner
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On the main level, the entry, living
room, dining room and kitchen retain
the original slate ﬂoor, laid in a
herringbone pattern. The breakfast
bar beneﬁts from the cozy feeling
provided by its positioning, tucked
under the curved concrete beams.

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Palm Springs, Calif.

Right: Palm trees and open sky claim
the attention here; the street face of
the house is quiet. A curved wall
hides a garden.
Below: The house is completely
integrated into its setting, as shown
in this convergence of concrete and
glass with massive boulders.
Bottom right: A steel staircase wraps
neatly around the curved wall to lead
from the stone courtyard to the
poolside terrace above it.

Lautner himself had served a ﬁve-year apprenticeship with Wright. Kilroy recounts
an early conversation among the collaborators in which Elrod requested of the
architect, “Give me the house the site deserves.” Lautner’s reply: “Let me excavate
down eight feet.” It was an unexpected proposal, given the clifftop setting, yet just
weeks later Elrod approved the architect’s ﬁrst design concept.
The house was built in two phases. “The budget for the ﬁrst phase of the house
was $1 million, in 1968,” Kilroy says, adding, “although I don’t believe Lautner ever
came in on budget.” Today, Kilroy estimates the same design and build process
would cost about $25 million. Sadly, Elrod did not have much opportunity to enjoy
his home; he died in a car accident in 1974. A later owner lost the house due to
ﬁnancial reversals in the late 1980s. In an attempt to “warm it up” for resale, its
subsequent bank stewards removed some of the original furnishings, wallpapered
over the wood panelling and covered the herringbone slate ﬂoor with wall-towall carpeting. Fortunately, they made no structural changes. A new owner, more
appreciative of the house’s design roots, gave it a sympathetic restoration in the

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The master suite is laid out on a diamond
pattern instead of a square. It features a
long bedroom, a bath area, vanity, hot tub,
steam shower, sauna and built-in bar. The
glass walls here and in the guest room can
be opened manually.

’90s, undoing the superﬁcial damage and refurnishing in the spirit of the original.
Kilroy, who has owned the house since 2003, considers himself something of a
guardian of part of the Lautner legacy. (The architect, who designed 60 homes over
55 years, died in 1994.) “People expect drama and they get it,” Kilroy says. “They
don’t expect the sublime groundedness of the house. That is its true brilliance.” He
describes this as a gradual realization, in which the remarkable design of the place
is overtaken by its serenity and harmony. Case in point: The master suite looks out
on San Gorgonio, the highest peak in Southern California. Kilroy paints a picture
of how a typical morning would unfold. “Just outside is a big mass of rock. You
throw a pillow on the rock, drink your coffee and read the newspaper. The house
is an ever-unfolding series of discoveries. But there’s a constancy. It’s quiet.”

The Roman tub, at one end of the master
suite, is set into a large block of carved
travertine. Comfort is key here: the ﬂoor is
covered wall to wall in a thick wool carpet.

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Cambridge, Ont.

An antique neo-Jacobean cabinet from Provence is a
stately counterpoint to the shiny surfaces in the
entry. The front doors were designed by homeowner
Tim Tanz (opposite). Tassels hanging from the door
handles are antique passementerie from one of his
favourite haunts in Venice. Hexagonal glass-topped
rattan table, McGuire at studio b.

TO REMAKE A â&#x20AC;&#x2122;50s
CLASSIC FOR THE
MODERN WORLD,
SEPARATE PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE LIVING AREAS
AND INSTILL A STANDOUT STYLE VIBE.
BY KATERI LANTHIER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
VIRGINIA MACDONALD

BUNGALOW
REINVENTED
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Left: A pair of curved-back sofas creates
an intimate zone in the spacious open living
area. ‘Conversation’ sofas, ‘Faux Parchment’
cocktail table, drapery fabric, Barbara Barry.
‘Lur’ ﬂoor lamp by Laura Kirar for Baker.
Jacques Garcia cushions for Baker. All from
studio b. Artwork (near left) by Romero Britto.
Crystal candle holders, Baccarat.
Below: The checkerboard cowhide rug was
found on a trip to South Africa. The painting
on the wall near the kitchen is by Tanz.

T

he leafy neighbourhood of West Galt in Cambridge, Ont., on a hill
above the Grand River, is characterized by imposing Edwardian and Victorian brick
houses built by the owners and executives of the area’s now-closed knitting mills, and
smaller, newer homes built on severances from the old wide lots. Design consultant
Tim Tanz and his partner, Jeff Matyas, chose this house, an hour-and-a-half drive from
Toronto, because of its central location (Matyas can walk to his dentistry practice) and
its potential for reinvention. Matyas observes, “It was a funny, old-fashioned bungalow,
with many little rooms and a dead end around every corner. You had to walk through
the whole house just to get from the kitchen to the living room. But it was simple—a
rectangle that was easy to gut and adapt to a modern design.”
“We never considered demolishing it, even though that might have been easier, and
we didn’t save money by maintaining the façade,” he continues. “But we kept the original
yellow brick, even reusing bricks when we replaced all the windows with custom ones.
Because we added a circular drive, the house does stand out now, but mainly it looks
much like it did. You can’t really ﬁgure out the house from the outside. When people
walk in, though, their jaws drop.”

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Louis Ghost chairs by Philippe
Starck circle a dining table with
four-leaf clover pedestal base by
Jacques Garcia. Parisian artist
Dominique Bernard designed the
chandelier, as well as the light ﬁxture
in the entry. The table is set with
Vega crystal stemware from

A LARGE FOYER AND A
BEDROOM WING ADDED
700 SQUARE FEET OF LIVING
SPACE. THEN, ‘IT WAS EASY
TO ADAPT THE HOUSE
TO A MODERN DESIGN.’
The backyard features several zones for entertaining
or simply hanging out: a dining terrace, a lounge
area, the pool and a cabana, converted from the
former garage. The cabana, essentially a second den,
is decorated with a nod to tropical style and ﬁtted
out with a bar. Tanz calls it “the cottage.”

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Left: A Kenny Sharf painting, Felix on a Pedestal,
purchased by (above, from left) Tanz and Matyas
in Bal Harbour, Florida, contributes to the sunny
pop-art vibe of the house. A Milan trip yielded the
Cappellini Rive Droite armchair by Patrick
Norguet, covered in a bright Pucci geometric
print; Tanz is a long-time Pucci fan.
Right: Cabinetry ﬁlls two walls in the kitchen;
paired with a sleek island, it forms an efﬁcient,
yet compact, workspace. The taupe of the acrylic
doors and a lighter-hued CaesarStone counter
create a serene zone. Counter stools, Tendex.

The change within has been dramatic. With the addition of a foyer and a wing for the
main bedroom, walk-in closet and bath, the house—formerly 1,400 square feet—is now
a luxurious 2,100-square-foot, two-bedroom retreat well-suited to the couple’s lifestyle.
Beyond the centre hall is a large open-concept space comprising the kitchen, dining area,
living area and lounge-like den. “We weren’t interested in adding a second ﬂoor,” says
Tanz. “Jeff was downsizing from a four-bedroom house. We wanted everything on one
level. It’s such an easy way to live, and now the house reminds us of a great hotel suite.”
A striking art collection and an array of carefully chosen mementoes, gathered on trips
taken over the past eight years, are displayed in every room. Mostly purchased before
the renovation, these possessions are more than the icing on the cake: the redesign has
been tweaked to highlight particular pieces.
Tanz has a long history in the world of design. A former magazine style writer, he has
represented Baccarat Crystal and currently works at studio b, a major source in Toronto

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for designer furniture. He is also a past president of
a garden club, so his vision extended to the home’s
street presence and back garden, which now harbours
a pool edged in sandstone, a cabana/summer house
converted from a double garage, a deck and a dining
terrace, all surrounded by boxwood hedges and ornamental grasses.
“I worked with Jeff almost as designer and client,”
notes Tanz, “and fortunately we agreed on most
details. Jeff is something of a frustrated architect,
though, so he determined the main plan. A local
general contractor then created the specs and executed the work.” One of their boldest moves was the addition of a foyer with a 14-foot ceiling and double doors,
designed by Tanz, that gives the house an elegant
street face. Tanz admits, “It seemed like a folly at
ﬁrst,” but it opens without a noticeable transition onto
a wide centre hall, creating the impression of a generous open space and a tone of laid-back glamour, which is enhanced by glossy surfaces,
punches of pink, orange and aqua in a Kenny Sharf painting, and accent pieces in
preppy-pop hues. The area has become a popular gathering spot during parties.
“I like that ’60s–’70s plan in which everything is centred on the pool,” says Tanz.
Thus, he ensured a direct sightline from the front door to the french doors at the back.
A pair of sofas also frames the pool view. In the design, Tanz is drawing on both his
childhood memories and on the work of Beverly Hills architect John Elgin Woolf. “The
monumental front doors were inspired by Woolf. Everything really started with those.
And the shiny white ﬂoor tiles are something I grew up with.”
Originally, the plan involved a wall of windows at the back, but this imposed limitations. “When designing an open concept, you do need to think of where you will hang
art,” Tanz says. “We purposely created wall space for art.” Opting for two sets of french

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Opposite, left: A fringed sun umbrella—
called a Frou Frou—shades the lounge area.
The splash of water from the fountains and
the whisper of breezes amid the tall shrubs
form a partial sound barrier from street
noise. Frou Frou, studio b.

Opposite, right: A dramatic chinoiserie
wallpaper creates a small jewel of a powder
room. The wall niche was specially created
to display the Salviati glass sculpture.
Sconces, by Robert Kuo, are made of rock
crystal and repoussé (hammered) copper.
Sconces, McGuire at studio b.

This page: Tailored armchairs and a leather
ottoman in shades of grey, by Barbara Barry,
face the ﬁreplace and TV on the end wall,
creating a quiet “den” for the guys. Tanz
found the lamp with porcupine-quill shade
and ostrich-skin base in South Africa. The
cabinet above the bar opens upward with a
hydraulic mechanism. On the bar’s granite
counter sit some mementoes, including a
Buccellati silver hedgehog from Capri.

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‘WE WANTED EVERYTHING
ON ONE LEVEL. IT’S SUCH AN
EASY WAY TO LIVE, AND NOW
THE HOUSE REMINDS US OF
A GREAT HOTEL SUITE.’

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Left: Tanz created a sitting area
in the bedroom with a linencovered chaise draped with a
Hermès blanket and a bronze
ﬂoor lamp by Robert Kuo. The
closet doors, designed by Tanz,
feature a striking veneer and
hide a home ofﬁce. The rabbit
doll on the chaise is a limited
edition by Takashi Murakami.
Right: A painted Venetian
headboard adds old world
charm. Bedside chest, Milling
Road. Bench by Laura Kirar for
Baker. Bed linens, Barbara Barry.

doors left an expanse of wall that now showcases works by Oleh Sirant, among others.
The kitchen is always in full view, so Tanz chose a German-manufactured cabinetry
with acrylic doors in sleek taupe and had it installed wall to wall and ﬂoor to ceiling—the
look is streamlined, yet elegant. “I wanted it to read as a lacquer wall,” he says, adding
that the vertical lines also enhance the illusion of greater ceiling height.
Tanz’s experience with decor is evident throughout. The Jacques Garcia dining table
gains emphasis from the bold black plaster and wire lighting ﬁxture positioned above
it. A checkerboard cowhide rug, found on a trip to South Africa, deﬁnes the living area.
The “men’s den” has a tailored look, with chairs upholstered in a grey ﬂannel-like fabric,
a zebra rug and a cabinet of exotic dark wood above the black lacquer bar.
Tanz works in Toronto during the week. He and Matyas used to spend weekends in
Toronto, but now they relax in Cambridge. “We didn’t feel the urge to go to a cottage last
summer,” says Tanz. “Our friends say, ‘We’ll let you return to St. Barts or wherever it is
back there!’” When the fountains are bubbling in the pool and the french doors are ﬂung
open, it’s easy to see what they mean.

•

For ﬂoor plans, see page 110

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ARCHITECTURE

CLEAR
THINKING
A 300-YEAR-OLD ENGLISH MANOR HOUSE OFFERS
AN UNEXPECTED LESSON IN THE ART OF RENEWAL
WITH A HIGH-TECH, GLASS-ROOFED EXTENSION.
BY CAROLYN KENNEDY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK KANE

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Oxfordshire, U.K.

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Though some elements at the heart of this old house in Oxfordshire are actually
medieval, much of the existing structure came into being in the 17th and early
18th centuries. It is a fairly typical example of the type of home that would have been
occupied by a majority landowner back in the days when every village had a manor
house. Cut to the 21st century, and despite the fact that it has seen better days it is
unquestionably a house worth preserving.
Given the many building restrictions imposed by the heritage groups in the United
Kingdom, this manor house’s open courtyard was the natural place to put an extension, required to enlarge the four-bedroom home’s living space for its owners’ family of
six. The idea had been attempted before, in the 1960s, with a single-storey, ﬂat-roofed
addition that was, unfortunately, poorly executed. Further heritage rules prevented the
full-scale removal of walls and the opening of spaces common to modern renovations;
the original building had to stay more or less intact.
Necessity spurred innovation then, as is so often the case. British architect Jeremy
Spratley’s ﬁrm Spratley Studios conceived of a large, light-ﬁlled kitchen and family area
to replace the ’60s renovation attempt, along with an entirely new two-storey wing,
accessed by a one-of-a-kind glass staircase.
The staircase, quite intentionally, is emblematic of the home’s new, modern edge. For
one thing, you can see right through it. A four-and-a-half-metre glass panel—almost
all one piece—running from kitchen to landing provides a safety rail, and grooves on
the clear glass treads provide some friction for feet. Spratley admits, however, that
walking on these stairs takes a bit of getting used to. It can be unnerving, he says. Still,
he considers the staircase a piece of art. This becomes clearer later in the day when the
glass treads conduct tiny spikes of light cast by low-energy LEDs embedded in the wall.
The idea was to represent “real clarity,” Spratley explains, “rather than a heavy object.”
A curved glass roof over the kitchen/family area is the other key element that

80

TOP LEFT: MARK LUSCOMBE-WHYTE /
THE INTERIOR ARCHIVE

ARCHITECTURE

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Opposite, top and bottom: The manor house is
surrounded by a natural moat that still functions
to drain the land, and the extensive gardens were
planned around it. A ground-source heat pump
supplies under-ﬂoor heating, via “miles of pipe,”
to all of the main-ﬂoor areas and heats the
swimming pool; and a large bank of photovoltaic

panels installed on the former stable roofs provides
supplementary power. It all adds up to a surplus of
energy, and the owners sell electricity back to the
national grid. They’re not reaping a clear proﬁt,
though: the cost to install the system was high. “It
will take a while to earn it back,” the architect notes,
with a chuckle. A reﬂective coating on the glass roof
reduces solar heating.

Below: The new curved roof optimizes natural light
in the kitchen and family room. The renovation,
completed in 2008, added 150 square metres (about
1,600 square feet) of living space. The Spratley
Studios project is the ﬁrst wholly glass staircase to
be installed in the United Kingdom.

A SEE-THROUGH
STAIRCASE, QUITE
INTENTIONALLY,
IS EMBLEMATIC
OF THE 300-YEAROLD MANOR
HOUSE’S NEW,
MODERN EDGE.

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Although the kitchen is at the centre of the
house, careful positioning of doors and windows
created views through the older areas that bring
the outdoors inside. A thick butcher block
countertop on the island mimics the sturdy
design of the large dining table, yet its cantilever
adds an airy quality. Table and bench, Bigfoot.

‘IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EASY TO GO MODERN AND WHITE,
BUT INSTEAD WE’VE REPAIRED THE OLD HOUSE SEAMLESSLY.’
—Jeremy Spratley, architect
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immediately—from indoors, at least—identiﬁes the project as notable. Initially, the
roof was imagined with a straight pitch, but “then we developed the curved bit,” Spratley says. A four-metre-long piece of glass, bolted to cleats and supported by thin steel
vertical beams, provides an uninterrupted window to the sky. It also creates a startling
contrast of old with new for visitors as they enter the house ﬁrst through the older
sections before making their way to the extension. “Most people are gobsmacked,”
the architect says. Yet for all its exalted status, the roof makes only the subtlest of
impressions when viewed from the grounds surrounding the house: it merely peeks
up above the original walls. “If you stand in one of the gardens,” Spratley says, “you
can just about see it.”
A brick exterior wall that formerly faced the courtyard forms a unique aesthetic
bridge between the old and new areas of the house. It is composed of materials from all
ages and stages of the home’s history, some dating back centuries, while some bricks
were replaced as recently as the 1980s. An actual bridge emphasizes this point: up the
steps to what was once a hayloft and is now a family space furnished with pool table
and TV; or down the steps underneath it, to a wine cellar and a study area. A glasspanel railing adds a modern sheen of contrast and leaves the view uninterrupted in
the large open space.
The homeowner, who runs a lighting company, is described by Spratley as a “real
entrepreneur” eager to embrace new technology. But he also “loves that old English
house thing because he always lived in one.” So, although he and his wife wanted a

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ARCHITECTURE

Right: The brick wall, formerly an exterior wall that
faced the courtyard, represents the passage of time,
Spratley says.
Opposite: Bringing the Douglas ﬁr ﬂoor—which was
treated to a limed ﬁnish, then whitewashed—into
older areas of the house creates visual links with the
new space. Tailored furnishings with a low proﬁle
add a modern ﬂavour. Flooring, Dinesen.

84

TOP: MARK LUSCOMBE-WHYTE / THE INTERIOR ARCHIVE

Above: While the sleek staircase and clean-lined
cabinetry and furnishings claim this as a
contemporary space, materials such as wood and
brick tie the house to its traditional roots. In the
kitchen, parallel islands, each equipped with a sink,
maximize efﬁciency and create a deﬁned work zone
distinct from the seating areas.

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large, modern kitchen and family area in the new extension, the heritage strictures that
required them to retain the traditional areas of the house are perceived as a beneﬁt.
“They can retreat into the smaller spaces, the oak-panelled rooms, if he wants to be
formal and English,” Spratley says, adding, “We all want to set a nice table and have a
dinner party now and then. There’s a part of that in him.”
The lighter look of the extension was achieved in part with the new ﬂoor—made,
without joints, of 15-metre-long Douglas ﬁr boards given a limed ﬁnish. A contemporary oak table and bench are substantial anchor pieces that remain fairly transparent in
the vast space. The ﬂooring was carried into some of the older areas of the house, tying
the spaces together. Additional visual links between old and new are offered by glazed
doors that provide views from one area to another. These subtle clues ensure “it’s not a
shock,” Spratley explains, as you move through the differently aged parts of the house.
Not a shock, but judging by those gobsmacked visitors, among others, not the
same old thing, either. “Like most younger architects, I like contemporary solutions,”
Spratley sums up the project. Others like them too, apparently: the ﬁrm has scooped up
a handful of medals from heritage societies in Britain for its efforts, and late last fall it
took home a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Commendation. Satisfyingly,
the attention has drawn other homeowners around to the Spratley way of thinking. The
architect is currently ﬁnishing a similar job in which the owner stopped work on her
home’s extension and asked Spratley to redesign it—based on the Oxfordshire house,
albeit with a larger scope. Another such job is in the ofﬁng. Most rewarding, it seems,
is the chance to do it all again, only bigger.

14785 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara on the Lake, ON | $1,995,000 | #7900

185 McArthur Drive, Penetanguishene, ON | $2,850,000 | #8265

Majestic waterfront property with amazing views of the Niagara River located next to the
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Boasting 605 ft. of Georgian Bay waterfront, this open concept home offers easy access to over 4.5
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ALLISON PARENT *

**Broker *Sales Representative. Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

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UPSCALE VILLAGE OF ANCASTER

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256 Lime Kiln Road, Ancaster, ON | $2,899,000 | #H3054139

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Unique custom home with modern flair. Features 4 bedrooms, 6 full baths and 2 powder rooms.
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A tranquil and calming retreat minutes from both the university and surrounding countryside.
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SHIRLEY Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;MEARA*

BRENNAN AGUANNO*

1.416.625.7810 | someara@sothebysrealty.ca

1.416.834.4708 | baguanno@sothebysrealty.ca

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Exquisite 3 bedroom executive custom built steps to downtown Oakville. Exceptional maintenance
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Set on a quiet crescent. Beautifully updated & decorated with new kitchen, updated baths, 2
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SAUNDERS , SAXTON, & WINTER

1.888.413.0184 | saunderssaxtonwinter.com

**Broker *Sales Representative. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

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STUNNING ARCHITECTURAL SHOWPIECE

WHEN LIFESTYLE MATTERS

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Spectacular Spire! A premium south west corner with city views. This design focused suite has
it all, premium finishes, floor to ceiling windows and private balcony. Located minutes to the
Financial District, in the heart of the St. Lawrence Market, this is Urban living at its best.

**Broker *Sales Representative. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

ONTARIO
LOCAL EXPERTISE , GLOBAL CONNECTIONS .

MAGNIFICENT GATED ESTATE ON LAKE SIMCOE

ROSEDALE PRIVATE ENCLAVE - ANCROFT PLACE

1775 Ridge Road West, Barrie, ON | $12,000,000 | #X2020211

1 Sherbourne Street North, Toronto, ON | $1,495,000 | #C2027573

Approximately 10.18 acres on Kempfelt Bay with 385 ft. of shoreline, boasting 16,920 sq.ft. of
grandeur, just one hour from Toronto. Surrounded by gardens, terraces and recreation facilities
assembled with an eye for harmony, comfort and practical pleasures. From stone terraces and
formal gardens to tennis court and beautifully appointed indoor pool.

Own a piece of history in a secluded ravine setting with Bloor Street and Yorkville just a short
stroll away. English country style home renovated to modern standards with upgraded finishes
throughout, featuring large principal rooms, fireplaces, open concept kitchen and exquisite
bathrooms. It was ranked among the best housing projects ever conceived in Toronto.

Quaintly nestled in the Hockley Valley, this luxurious 6 bedroom home is the ideal spot for
the passionate golfer looking for the tranquility of country living. Practice your swing on the
professionally constructed, 270 yard, par 4 hole, or enjoy a round at one of the top rated courses
located nearby.

Situated on a secluded, 6 acre point of land on Labelle Lake, surrounded by the natural wilderness
of Frontenac Provincial Park, sits this exceptional, custom built home. A four-season paradise for
someone with a passion for outdoor adventures. Luxurious features and finishes contrast the
natural and rugged landscape.

**Broker *Sales Representative. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

ONTARIO
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GRAND HARBOUR CONTEMPORARY

BEST SOUTH VIEW FROM YORKVILLE

2285 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON | $888,000 | #W1980694

10 Bellair Street, Toronto, ON | $5,295,000

European-chic designed condo. This stunning 2 bedroom (or 1 bedroom plus den) 1,200 sq.ft.
suite has been completely rebuilt with impeccable taste using the highest quality European
fixtures, finishes & craftsmanship. Spectacular views over the lake and city skyline with abundant
terrace & balcony. Yacht club at your doorstep. Waterfront living on a luxurious scale.

Delightful 3 bedroom, 3 bath house on the waterfront. Elevated to offer the most beautiful
westerly views of the ocean & offshore cays. The large, airy living, dining & kitchen areas extend
out onto a broad covered deck which is ideal for outdoor living. A dock & boat slipway complete
this property. Contact about this & additional wonderful Bahamas retreats available for sale.

The Lynch Family Estate is a perfectly preserved and positioned mid century oasis. It reflects the
“Martini Era” of charm and class and was home to major celebrity soirees with guests including
Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Eva Gabor and many more. The grounds of this estate exude privacy
and relaxation!

JAMES BURTNICK**

1.416.450.1942 | jburtnick@sothebysrealty.ca

&

ANDY TAYLOR**

1.416.994.2118 | ataylor@sothebysrealty.ca

**Broker *Sales Representative. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

This prestigious and exceptional 4 bedroom waterfront estate situated on 6 acres of natural
and landscaped privacy offering 770 ft. of shoreline. For the family searching for the perfect
place to enjoy a boat club environment on the shores of lake Masson. This is a true rarity!

DAVID DUNKELMAN*

1.416.960.9995 | ddunkelman@sothebysrealty.ca

JOHN DI PIETRO*

1.514.726.1400 | jdipietro@sothebysrealty.ca

SUNSET BAY ON LAC MERCIER

MURRAY BAY ESTATE

Mont-Tremblant, QC | lot 5: $595,000+taxes • lot 6: $575,000+taxes

Mascouche Heights, QC | $4,900,000 | #8387341

Two large 3+ acre lots directly on lac Mercier. One of the only two navigable lakes in MontTremblant. Flat land with easy access, within walking distance via “Le P’Tit Train Du Nord” to
the old village of Mont-Tremblant. Offering splendid sunset views, these easy to build waterfront
lots are a rare find.

Luxurious living just minutes away from Montreal in this stunning stone residence presiding over
a beautifully landscaped 3.2 acres of land tucked away in a setting of peace and privacy. The
ultimate comfort in 7,000 sq.ft. of floor space and an intergenerational 2 bedroom attached house.

*Real Estate Broker. **Certified Real Estate Broker. †Sotheby's International Realty Québec HR .
E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated. Real estate agency.

QUĂ&#x2030;BEC
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THE ULTIMATE PENTHOUSE

THE SIR GEORGE SIMPSON RESIDENCES

Les Sommets sur le Fleuve, QC | $2,600,000 | #8388091

Golden Square Mile, Montreal, QC | From $1,750,000 to $6,400,000

You will enjoy the most beautiful view of Montreal from this custom designed two-storey penthouse
of grand proportions. The panoramic views of the Montreal glittering skyline, the exceptional
layout, the wine cellar and the roof terrace create the perfect place to enjoy life and to entertain.

The Sir George Simpson Residences offer grand luxury and modern comfort favorably inspired by a
period where elegance and aristocracy reflected the manners of a society in evolution. 2 bedroom up
to 3 bedroom. Offered with taxes and 2 parking places included. 94% sold only 4 condominiums left!

DIANE OLIVER**

1.514.893.9872 | doliver@sothebysrealty.ca

CYRILLE GIRARD*

1.514.582.2810 | cgirard@sothebysrealty.ca

MAGNIFICENT SWEEPING CITY VIEWS

MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRED VILLA

Westmount Adjacent, QC | $3,495,000 | #8471503

Westmount, QC | $3,900,000 | #8344864

Talk about location! Magnificent 4 plus 1 bedroom residence on sought-after street in the heart
of Montreal. With its center courtyard, fabulous light and sweeping city views, this spacious
family home will enchant the most discerning buyer. Other amenities include a renovated gourmet
kitchen, den and office on the main level, 8,000 sq.ft. lot, 2 car garage and so much more.

Luxurious Mediterranean-inspired villa perched high atop the boulevard in Westmount. This most
gracious residence sets itself apart by its architecture and by its refined interiors that have been
immaculately preserved and enhanced by modern conveniences. An elegant, spacious and truly
distinctive home for those seeking the very best.

JOSEPH MONTANARO*

1.514.660.3050 | jmontanaro@sothebysrealty.ca

*Real Estate Broker. **Certified Real Estate Broker.
E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated. Real estate agency.

Fourth floor of prestigious Old Montreal corner building. Private elevator leads directly to the entrance
hall of this 2 bedroom loft. Double wood doors lead into an impressive and completely renovated
living space complemented by 17 windows. Featured on television and in several upscale decorating
magazines. Residential or commercial usage permitted.

1.514.577.2009 | llatreille@sothebysrealty.ca

LOUISE LATREILLE *

ROGER QUIRION**

1.514.246.2017 | rquirion@sothebysrealty.ca

LIVE IN LUXURY

MAGNIFICENT MARVEL

Outremont, QC | $2,300,000 | #8440156

Westmount, QC | $1,798,000 | #8451967

Extensively renovated and enlarged residence. The cut stone facade and striking turret provide
dramatic curb appeal. From the addition of an entire top floor to the geo-thermal heating, this
home has been lovingly restored and improved. The classic period architecture is enhanced by
contemporary style and modern conveniences.

Stunning Georgian inspired 3 storey home, well located close to the park on corner lot. A spacious
renovated eat-in kitchen offers an adjacent covered terrace plus access to mudroom and
courtyaRoad The open cross hall plan provides a large living room and dining room with ample
room for entertaining.

LIZA KAUFMAN†

1.514.232.5932 | lkaufman@sothebysrealty.ca

*Real Estate Broker. **Certified Real Estate Broker. Sotheby's International Realty Québec LK .
E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated. Real estate agency.
†

QUÉBEC
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ONE OF A KIND STONE RESIDENCE

SUN-FILLED CONTEMPORARY HOME

Hampstead, QC | $3,100,000 | #8402943

5893 Brandeis Avenue, Montreal, QC | $1,249,000 | #8421506

Extremely spacious residence on a secluded crescent featuring 5 plus 1 bedrooms, 5 plus1 baths, 3
terraces and 9,000 sq.ft. lot. The impressive entry hall leads to a spectacular open plan, framed by
a 2 storey window overlooking the interior pool & bar. The top floor of this lavish home has a private
wing dedicated to the master bedroom with the comfort and convenience of a private office/den.

Custom built and enjoyed by the same family since 1988, the design of this contemporary
masterpiece has truly stood the test of time. Set on 11,000 sq.ft. and located in a residential
neighborhood known for outstanding community services including magnificent parks, outstanding
public library, synagogues, accessible shopping and transportation.

ANNE BEN -AMI (MADAR)*

KAREN KARPMAN*

1.514.726.3037 | aben-ami@sothebysrealty.ca

1.514.497.8218 | kkarpman@sothebysrealty.ca

PRESTIGIOUS LAVAL-SUR-LE-LAC

ELEGANT WATERFRONT HOME

Laval-Sur-Le-Lac, QC | $2,499,000 | #8460784

196 Ch. de la Grande-Côte, Boisbriand, QC | $2,590,000

This Canadiana-style home is situated in the exclusive community of Laval-sur-le-Lac just minutes
north of Montreal. The property is located on 62,000 sq.ft. of prime waterfront on the shores of the
Lake of Two Mountains and the Riviere des Prairies. Built in 1974, the home features 4 bedrooms,
gorgeous woodwork and unparalleled views.

Enjoy the exceptional outdoor waterfront living this warm and inviting executive home has to
offer. Private lush gardens with views of the water and its own dock provide a fabulous setting
for entertaining or relaxing. Extensive use of fine materials is found throughout. Also includes an
intergenerational suite.

KAREN ROSSY **

1.514.963.6311 | krossy@sothebysrealty.ca

BRIAN MITCHELL**

1.514.869.6251 | bmitchell@sothebysrealty.ca

*Real Estate Broker. **Certified Real Estate Broker.
E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated. Real estate agency.

QUÉBEC
LOCAL EXPERTISE , GLOBAL CONNECTIONS .

MANOIR CANDA CRAIG

SERENE LIVING

Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC | $1,399,000 | #8447660

Bromont, QC | $1,395,000 | #8457371

Spectacular waterfront property combines historic charm with modern conveniences thanks to
extensive quality updates. Close to the heart of downtown! Enjoy breathtaking views from one
of the balconies or from the four season solarium. Large private yard features a heated pool and
boasts 165 ft. of shoreline along lac Saint-François.

This 21 room residence is located on the mountainside of Lake Bromont. The superior quality
construction is sure to appease even the most discerning buyer. Its ample fenestration and warm
decor make this home a truly wonderful place to live.

PENELOPE VILAGOS*

1.514.779.5122 | pvilagos@sothebysrealty.ca

SERGE BÉLANGER*

1.514.926.5319 | sbelanger@sothebysrealty.ca

SENNEVILLE MANOR
Senneville, QC | $6,850,000 | #8364232
The crown jewel of one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Montreal, Senneville Manor offers peace, privacy, and a beguiling tranquil lifestyle. Designed by the famous New York architect Karl
Fisher (circa 1999), this property is set amid a private sanctuary of finely manicured lawns with mature trees and perennial gardens. Undoubtedly, one of Montreal Island’s most remarkable estates,
this manor sets the standard for exclusive waterfront living.

ANDRE DOUDAK*

1.514.591.6720 | adoudak@sothebysrealty.ca

&

CAROLE DOUDAK*

1.514.591.6728 | cdoudak@sothebysrealty.ca

*Real Estate Broker. **Certified Real Estate Broker.
E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated. Real estate agency.

*Real Estate Broker. **Certified Real Estate Broker.
E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated. Real estate agency.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
LOCAL EXPERTISE , GLOBAL CONNECTIONS .

ON THE ROCKS

OWN AN ORIGINAL

270 Scott Point Drive, Salt Spring Island, BC | $1,965,000 | #286960

225 South Bank Drive, Salt Spring Island, BC | $785,000 | #287474

Dramatic views infuse every corner of this classic southwest facing 4,000 sq.ft. beach house on
2Âź acres with 600 ft. of shoreline. The substantial residence has been tastefully updated and
beautifully maintained. With large open entertaining rooms and private lower lever guest suite,
extensive outdoor terraces, sun decks and viewing platforms extend the living areas and enjoy
simply outstanding coastal outlooks. One of the largest and most impressive parcels on coveted
Scott Point.

A stone & stucco residence with an ageless patina and architectural authority, its interiors
showcase carefully selected materials chosen for durability and appeal while an abundance of
wall space welcomes large scale pieces of art. Oriented to the outdoors, the loggias, terraces and
balcony offer views over gardens and lawns. A glass covered breezeway connects the main house
to an elegant self-contained cottage studio. An unforgettable home with outstanding character
and the unique qualities of a true original.

TRANQUILITY COVE OCEANFRONT

EVERY SHADE OF BLUE

211 Harbourside Place, Salt Spring Island, BC | $1,395,000 | #287809

120 Agar Road, Salt Spring Island, BC | $879,000 | #288012

High level 5 bedroom oceanfront home on 2.6 acres with a vibrant 3,600 sq.ft. open plan
design that lends well to formal entertaining and family relaxation. Walkout level with a fireside
recreation room and wet bar. Doors leading to an oceanside spa. Staircase to the beach. Easy
care landscaping. Detached studio. A fine home for full time or vacation house pursuits.

For those seeking utter seclusion and privacy, this 54 acre property comprises the entire hill on which
Blue Sky Architects have designed a home on a curved axis to conform to the shape of the hill while
taking full advantage of the panoramic ocean vistas encompassing Malahat Mountain on Vancouver
Island to the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington and all the islands in between.

Gorgeous 4 bedroom, 3 bath Country home on almost 12 acres, magnificent gardens, water
feature and more. Pathways meander through the gardens then continue on into a mature
woodland with trails leading to Mt. Galiano. Easy access from Vancouver and Victoria.

GREG ROWLAND

1.250.882.6680 | growland@sothebysrealty.ca | gregrowland.ca

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

Completely renovated at the edge of Uplands this well laid out family house with 4 bedrooms,
3 bathrooms, and office, has exquisite finishes of rich woods, granite and glass. So modern! So
elegant! Oversize garage, landscaped property. Large celebrations or small, this open floorplan is
a joy to entertain in. Walk to Uplands Golf Course and University of Victoria.

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
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AT YOUR LEISURE - TOTAL PRIVACY
5437 Clearwater Valley Road, Clearwater, BC | $1,100,000 | #90888
This 1997 spacious 2,700 sq.ft., custom designed home sits on 65 acres in Wells Gray Park, offers two storeys of bright open spaces for living and dining with an open kitchen concept on the second
floor, 16 ft. vaulted ceilings and large floor-to-ceiling south exposure windows. Two covered decks up to 120 sq.ft. to enjoy the spectacular views of mountains, the creek and forest. There are 4 bedrooms
with the master bedroom, bathroom and laundry room upstairs and 3 bedrooms, bathroom, cold room and recreation room on the lower level. Efficient in-floor heating on both floors, steel roof, satellite
dish for media programming, security and audio system roughed-in. Two car attached garage. The heritage log cabin on the property is excellent for guest house usage.
DAN MORRISON

1.604.929.2152| dmorrison@sothebysrealty.ca

&

STAN VAN WOERKENS

1.604.306.2550 | svanwoerkens@sothebysrealty.ca

UPLANDS ESTATES - OAK BAY’S JEWEL

WEST COAST WATERFRONT

2345 Cedar Hill Cross Road, Victoria, BC | $644.900 | #287281

Victoria, BC | $688,000 | #287819

Located in one of Victoria’s most prestigious areas this exquisite single level 1775 sq.ft., 2
bedroom plus den townhome boasts a fresh designer décor and backs to the Uplands Golf Club.
The gated entry leads to a brilliantly coloured nirvana of floral beauty, ponds and pristine gardens.
Serene beauty and tranquility greet you.

Custom designed & built in 2009, the west coast inspired interior is finished to the highest
standard, spread generously over two levels. Features include granite counter tops, top of the line
appliances, heated hardwood flooring, cozy gas fireplace & exterior decking on both levels. Enjoy
intimate oceanfront views of Victoria’s Harbour.

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
LOCAL EXPERTISE , GLOBAL CONNECTIONS .

PRESTIGIOUS TIMBERFRAME RETREAT
4137 Douglas Court, Sun Peaks, BC | $4,295,000 | #100626
Situated on the highest residential lot, this premier property with heated driveway, patios and walkways provides ultra convenient ski-in, ski-out access to the chair-lift area in world renowned, four
season Sun Peaks Resort. Providing a distinct feeling of privilege and privacy, this timber frame masterpiece exudes quality at every turn. With four fireplaces, including one within a grand, covered
outdoor patio area, wine and theatre rooms, library, walls of windows, abundant use of real rock, reclaimed wood flooring and superb attention to detail throughout, this exceptional mountain home
will entice you to relax and appreciate the best of nature. Fully furnished.
LIZ FORSTER

SUN PEAKS RESORT MUNICIPALITY
Sun Peaks, located in British Columbia’s interior, is a 4.5 hour drive from Vancouver and renowned for its champagne powder and sunny skies. Rated best ski resort in Canada next to Whistler by
Conde Nast Traveler (Dec 2010), Sun Peaks is one of Canada’s largest with 3,678 acres of skiable terrain on three mountains. In addition to skiing, there is a Graham Cooke designed 18 hole golf
course, lift-accessed mountain biking, hiking, and several nearby lakes. The charming “ski-through” village has accommodations, shops, restaurants and more. In 2010, Sun Peaks became British
Columbia’s first Mountain Resort Municipality and home to the Centre for Balanced Education. For more information on this growing resort community, visit www.sunpeaksresort.com;
www.sunpeaksmunicipality.ca; www.balancededucation.ca
LIZ FORSTER

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
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SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT ESTATE

EDMONTON CONTEMPORARY

3560 Planta Road, Nanaimo, BC | $2,380,000 | #VI308975

13619 Buena Vista Road, Edmonton, AB | $1,500,000 | #MLS

Rare seaside; 2 homes on a private 3.51 acre estate with ocean views and access. An architecturally
designed, mid 1990’s 3 level beach house with watercourse, a 1917 3 bedroom character home,
plus a gantry workshop and artist studio. A very unique property with over 200 ft. of waterfront in
a peaceful, park-like setting within minutes to downtown services, ferries, sea plane and hospital.
This property also has development potential.

West Coast contemporary styled 4 bedroom home near the University of Alberta, set on a
large secluded, naturally forested property with quick access to downtown, major arts centers,
hospitals and International Airports. Featuring lighting and hardware of commercial grade and
extensive use of mahogany, all rooms have floor to ceiling casement windows plus a living room
and solarium opening onto cedar decking secluded from view. Two heated garages give direct
access to the home.

THACKER MOUNTAIN HOME

PEACEFUL RIVERSIDE RETREAT

21377 Thacker Mountain Rd, Hope, BC | $1,350,000 | #H1001737

402 Water Avenue, Hope, BC | $799,000 | #H1003281

Whistler style home of cedar, rock and glass, overlooking the Fraser and Coquihalla Rivers with
commanding views of mountain, river and valley. This 9 year old, 3,400 sq.ft., custom home is one
of Hope’s premier residences. With 34 ft. vaulted cedar ceiling, timber beams, walls of glass and
multi level decks this 3 bedroom home was designed to accommodate a casual lifestyle.

One level, 3 bedroom, custom rancher with gourmet kitchen, over height ceilings, expansive living
spaces and views from every room. Retreat or retire to this secure, air conditioned property on
100 ft. of high bank riverfront with spectacular views from upper and lower decks, or access the
Fraser’s world famous sturgeon and salmon fishing from your private boat launch.

NANCY- JEAN O’CARROLL

1.604.805.7053 | nocarroll@sothebysrealty.ca | nancyjean.ca

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
LOCAL EXPERTISE , GLOBAL CONNECTIONS .

CINQUE TERRE
First Floor - 1483 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC | $5,800,000 | #V868220
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living in Cinque Terre is like being on the edge of paradise where light and nature meet - it is in a league by itself.â&#x20AC;? Paul Merrick, Architect
Sunset Beach in the West End of Vancouver, creates the perfect location for unobstructed water views and beautiful evening sunsets. This 3,000 sq.ft.luxury 4 bedroom and 4 bath residence is elegant
and formal with all the trimmings: Crema Marfil Mable floors, custom cherry wood millwork, 2 fireplaces, Joel Burman glass, 10 ft. coffered ceilings, plus 1,500 sq.ft.outdoor living space with BBQ,
sink, fireplace & a fire pit. This highly sought after secure private boutique building awaits you. Call for your private viewing.
ALI LANDUCCI

1.877.816.8163 | alanducci@sothebysrealty.ca | landucci.ca

BRIDGE CREEK ESTATE
100 Mile House, BC | $8,850,000 | #V4023709
Founded in 1912, Bridge Creek Estate currently operates on over 2,400 acres of deeded land and 2,700 acres of grazing & woodlot licenses, making it one of the largest ranches in the South Cariboo
of BC. This historic family ranch is a unique operation combining environmentally sensitive practices, modern infrastructure, beautiful buildings and a stunning land-base. landucci.ca/35

ALI LANDUCCI

1.877.816.8163 | alanducci@sothebysrealty.ca | landucci.ca

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
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PARADISE RETREAT HOME

WHISTLER CAY HEIGHTS

Cortes Island, BC | $5,689,000

6429 Street Andrews Way, Whistler, BC | 4,300,000

A paradise retreat home with the most exquisite beachfront setting possible. This 5,000 sq.ft.
Cortes island home sits on 47 acres including 5,200 ft. of sandy beaches. It has quality finishings,
a 25 metre lap pool, a living garden roof and breathtaking ocean views from its numerous decks.

Best location in sought after Whistler Cay Heights. This log home has been designed to capture
stunning views of Blackcomb and Whistler mountain from one side and Sproat and Rainbow
mountain from the other. Expert craftsmanship create a gracious living environment, gourmet
kitchen, generous living and dining areas, floor to ceiling stone fireplaces and majestic 30 ft.
vaulted ceilings of cedar logs and wooden rafters. A slate patio, hot tub and gardens offer private
outdoor living. An all season family home.

The warmth of home oozes from this gorgeous completely updated house. Offering 3,500 sq. ft. of
living space, a completely private park-like setting, spacious rooms, 4 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms.
Features include hardwood floors, french doors, huge decks, top of the line appliances, wood
windows, extensive millwork and too much more to list. Truly a beautiful home.

Contemporary modernist design in the Westendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest building - the O2. This is an impressive
penthouse suite built with an eye for luxury these condos offer exceptional value while offering
high end finishings and spectacular amenities. Enjoy English Bays finest views from your private
patio or from the common Green Roof Deck.

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
LOCAL EXPERTISE , GLOBAL CONNECTIONS .

CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE

THE STONE HOUSE

3265 Dickinson Crescent, West Vancouver, BC | $4,280,000 | #V855201

6495 Larch Street, Vancouver, BC | $3,780,000 | #V865206

Custom-designed, one year old home featuring 5 ensuite bedrooms up, plus nanny ensuite down.
All principal rooms enjoy spectacular views and exposures. Great outdoor areas and decks with
amazing infinity pool off the family room. Truly a piece of contemporary art in a sought after
family location close to all the best schools. Virtual tour at carros.ca

Arts & crafts inspired heritage home completely rebuilt from the foundations up. Open-plan
kitchen will delight even the most discerning of chefs while the fully developed basement offers
additional bedroom, recreation and media room. An incredibly spacious 5 bedroom 4 bath
flawless fusion of traditional design and contemporary convenience. Virtual tour at carros.ca

GREG CARROS

1.604.603.5730 | gcarros@sothebysrealty.ca

GREG CARROS

1.604.603.5730 | gcarros@sothebysrealty.ca

PERFECTION IN AN EXCLUSIVE AREA

CLASSIC TUDOR STYLE HOME

1937 Knox Road, Vancouver, BC | $5,380,000 | #V867068

6570 Marine Crescent, Vancouver, BC | $4,300,000 | #V847931

Custom built family home on a beautifully landscaped western lot. A spacious foyer leads to a
formal living & dining room, then onto a fabulous open kitchen and great room. 4 bedrooms up
with the lower level offering an exceptional media & games room plus separate Nannyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suite.
Pictures and floor plan at carros.ca

Classic Tudor style home in a prime Kerrisdale location. Perched high on Marine Crescent with
unparalleled views, many of this homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original features have been kept intact. A grandiose
property offering spacious bedrooms and classic living areas, there is also ample opportunity to
develop into your dream home. Virtual tour at andrewcarros.com

GREG CARROS

1.604.603.5730 | gcarros@sothebysrealty.ca

ANDREW CARROS

1.604.787.2882 | acarros@sothebysrealty.ca

E&O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Independently owned and operated.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
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ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT HOME
170 East Kensington Road, North Vancouver, BC | $1,998,000 | #287281
Barely 1 year old and situated in a superior location in North Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sought after Upper Lonsdale neighbourhood this is West-Coast architecture at its finest. The 4 bedroom home boasts heated
concrete floors, a wine cellar, sleek lines and functional spaces including glazed walls that seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor living areas. Live large with thoughtfully designed high ceilings, of
which some are vaulted. Enjoy spectacular views from the south facing terrace, accessed from the great-room. The chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quality kitchen is complete with high end stainless steel, ceasarstone surfaces,
copious built-ins, a massive island and a large, cleverly hidden, fully equipped prep. room.This one of a kind home has everything with finishing second to none!
STEVE MITCHELL

1.604.418.6726 | smitchell@sothebysrealty.ca

&

CLIVE BENJAFIELD

1.604.803.5050 | cbenjafield@sothebysrealty.ca

TIMELESS MASTERPIECE

CANYON HEIGHTS GEM

B 24664 87th Avenue, Fort Langley, BC | $1,988,888 | #F1100520

1042 Montroyal Blvd., North Vancouver, BC | $1,049,000

Brand new 8,000 sq.ft. home on 2.43 acres, features 4 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, grand foyer,
hardwood, extensive finishings and vaulted ceilings. The kitchen boasts top of the line everything...
Stunning! Nanny quarters, theatre, exercise, recreation and large office/games rooms, plus 3
vehicle garage. Located on a peaceful cul-de-sac minutes to historic Fort Langley.

Enjoy the most spectacular sunsets at this Bermuda-style, fully furnished, 5,500 sq.ft. 6/7 bedroom,
6 bath home. The 1.5 acre estate offers expansive green spaces, a seaside patio with a turquoise
swimming pool with the beach and ocean just a few steps beyond. At night, the illumination and
soothing sounds of Clifton Bay lapping on your private beach create a romantic ambience.

Light at Heart
DESPITE BEING STRIPPED TO THE
STUDS AND FULLY RENOVATED,
THE SPIRIT OF THIS POST-AND-BEAM
HOUSE REMAINS.
(SEE STORY, P. 46)

Architecture: Stuart Howard Architects
Location: Vancouver, B.C.

.

110

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Of Earth and Sky
THE SIMPLE IDEA OF THE HOUSE
WAS TWO SIDE-BY-SIDE CIRCLES:
ONE AN OPEN COURTYARD, THE
OTHER A DOMED LIVING ROOM.
(SEE STORY, P. 58)
Architecture: John Lautner

FLOOR PLAN COURTESY MIKE KILROY / PREPARED BY BEN RICHARDS

Location: Palm Springs, Calif.

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FLOOR PLANS

Bungalow Reinvented
THE NEWLY L-SHAPED BUNGALOW
GAINED 700 SQ. FT. AND IS NEATLY
SEPARATED INTO A PUBLIC AND
A PRIVATE WING.
(SEE STORY, P. 66)

Architecture: Tim Tanz and Jeff Matyas
Location: Cambridge, Ont.

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-

Clear Thinking
PUTTING AN ADDITION IN THE
COURTYARD OF THE HOUSE CREATED
A MASSIVE OPEN-CONCEPT KITCHEN
AND FAMILY SPACE.
(SEE STORY, P. 78)
Architecture: Spratley Studios
Location: Oxfordshire, U.K.

SPRING 2 011 113

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Paris, France

GRACE NOTE

Born Again
Photograph by Maude Chauvin

114

T

hey call it a “plug-over,” a new steel skeleton with glass cover
built snugly over the top and sides of an existing structure—in
this case a 100-year-old customs warehouse—for the purposes
of preservation and reuse. Docks en Seine is a web of pedestrian pathways, staircases, terraces, shops, restaurants and event spaces,
designed by Paris architectural ﬁrm Jakob + MacFarlane and completed
in 2008, that is part of a development project to reanimate public space
in this Left Bank neighbourhood.
At night, lit by LEDs, it is a glowing green caterpillar stretched along
the shore of the Seine. From the river, the structure gives the impression
of a multiplicity of video screens with the sound turned off, as scenes of
urban life play out on the various levels of the building under the public
gaze. From land, the impression is a little more subtle but no less intriguing: the sheathing of shiny glass over bright green metal struts superimposed on the grey landscape of aged docks and ofﬁce towers suggests
that there is always and everywhere the opportunity to start anew.

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18/02/11 4:15 PM

LIVING TO THE POWER OF E
From your sunswept terrace,
Montreal’s panorama unfolds.
From the courtyard, the Plateau’s
charms invite discovery.
From within your residence,
subdued luxury beckons.
The 333 Sherbrooke puts you at
the very heart of Montreal’s soul:
from the countless bistros and
boutiques at your doorstep to the
world-class concerts and festivals
just around the corner to downtown’s
museums, galleries and shopping,
all that deﬁnes true urban living is
just a stroll away. Whether you choose
a maisonette or a tower residence,
the amenities are second-to-none:
superior trim and ﬁnish, 24/7 security,
underground parking, private wine
cellars, state-of-the-art ﬁtness
facilities and a one-of-a-kind heated
rooftop pool and deck.
Living to the power of 3: exclusive urban
luxury at the 333 Sherbrooke East.

DR AWING HIS BOW. WITH A 556 HORSEP OWER
SUPERCHARGED V8 ENGINE. A SUSPENSION THAT RE ADS THE
ROAD 10 0 0 TIMES A SEC OND. AND A DESIGN THAT’S A PURE
HE AD TURNER. THE CTS -V C OUPE. WE D ON’T JUST MAKE
LUXURY CARS, WE MAKE CADILL AC S.